My beliefs on the USCM.

The United Systems Colonial Marines was an international organization from nations on Earth; although the name would suggest that the USCM was a military force, this is only half true. Civilians were paid to live in off- world colonies established and watched over by the Marines. The USCM made first contact with all 6 non-human races, and there are rumors of multiple encounters of unknown species. The Marines were involved in numerous conflicts, the bloodiest of which was the neverending Miniknog- US war, which started when the Apex Miniknog launched a surprise attack on Starport Delta, located on Earth's moon, killing 6000 military personnel and 2000 civilians. During the war, the deadliest in Human and Apex history, the USCM Marines fought bravely and mercilessly against the tyrannical Miniknog regime. Losses became so high that USCM prison colonies were forced to draft guards and promise prisoners that if they fought, they would be pardoned of any crimes they had committed.

Just after the USCM claimed the most valuable planet they had fought for yet, and just when victory seemed near, something terrible happened-- The Terrene Protectorate began. The Protectorate, meaning well, decided that they would be able to end the war by sending Protectors to lead divisions of soldiers into battle, but this only resulted in the deaths of countless Protectors with no military experience whatsoever and even more soldiers. Fearing defeat, the Protectorate ordered a cease- fire, which lasted until the Ruin Disaster.

Then, the Protectorate spent the next 154 years becoming far more powerful than any group before, pretty much financially screwed over thousands of veterans for fear that they might one day get into a position of power and worsen Human- Apex relations. Remaining USCM forces were commanded to watch over colonies and never engage in full- scale wars again. This let the Miniknog conquer a large portion of the galaxy. The USCM's high command, however, led by Supreme Commander Arlen, was able to bribe several high-end ranking Protectors into allowing him to establish USCM bases, some of which were as large as entire mountains, on remote worlds.

When the Ruin disaster occured, and only 2 Protectors were left in the entire universe, the USCM was still 2- million men strong, but a collapse in the chain of command led to several bases losing contact with each other, Starships getting lost in space, or the staffs of some hidden bunkers going completely insane and becoming completely hostile towards outsiders, especially other humans.

After the Ruin's death, the new USCM high command regrouped as many men as it could, and began Operation Reclamation: the move to take back control of humanity's home, Earth. The operation was in countless ways similar to the first Crusade; as many Marines made the ultimate Sacrifice to retake the Holy land of Earth from dying tentacle beasts and the vengeful Miniknog army, who had made a quick but unsuccessful attempt to capture Earth before anyone could retake it. But the operation succeeded nonetheless, and terraforming began to restore Earth to its former glory, and if you somehow find Earth, somewhere in the stars, you will see that the planet is starting to become beautiful once again, and the land is dotted with military bases, growing city colonies, and the homes of retired veterans. The Navaho desert is the home of a massive cemetery for the recovered bodies of fallen USCM soldiers.

In my Starbound headcanon, the USCM, the rightful Humans, have accomplished more than the Protectorate ever did in its short and glamorous existence. In fact, it is possible that the Protectorate's reign of peace angered the Ruin with the lack of bloodshed, making so unhappy that it invaded our universe to please its sick hunger for death.

 

Yeah, good point. Hold on while I rewrite this.